Alternative names :: Mammary dysplasia, Benign breast disease
What is fibrocystic breasts?
Fibrocystic breasts is a noncancerous condition characterized by the presence of cysts, or lumps, in the breasts. This condition is also known as fibrocystic changes, chronic cystic mastitis, mammary dysphasia, and-although it is not actually a disease fibrocystic disease. It is caused by monthly changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone. It affects more than half of all women of childbearing age, most often between the ages of thirty and fifty.
Fibrocystic breasts are characterized by the presence of round lumps or cysts that move freely and are either firm or soft.
Symptoms of fibrocystic breasts
Symptoms include tenderness, heavy pain and lumpiness in the breasts. The discomfort is usually most pronounced before menstruation. Symptoms may range from mild to severe.
Causes of fibrocystic breasts
Fibrocystic breasts is caused by monthly changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone. Normally, fluids from breast tissues are collected and transported out of the breasts by means of the lymphatic system. However, if there is more fluid than the system can cope with, small spaces in the breast may fill with fluid. Fibrous tissue surrounds them and thickens like a scar, forming cysts. Many breast cysts swell before and during menstruation, and the resulting pressure can cause a feeling of fullness, a dull ache, increased sensitivity, or a burning sensation. Some women also experience significant pain.
Breast cysts may change in size, but they are benign. A cyst is tender and moves freely-it feels like an eyeball behind the lid. In contrast, a cancerous growth usually does not move freely, is most often not tender, and does not go away.
Most cysts are harmless. In fact, the normal structure of the breasts has a lumpy texture. However, this does not mean that any lumps should be disregarded. Each woman should be familiar with the normal feel of and cyclical changes in her breasts so that she can easily detect any new lumps. Ideally, she should check her breasts weekly, and if any new lumps become apparent between menstrual cycles, she should consult her health care practitioner promptly.
Home Remedies for Fibrocystic Breasts
- Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Eat more raw foods, including seeds, nuts, and grains. Be sure nuts have not been subjected to heat. Include in your diet three or more servings daily of apples, bananas, grapes, grapefruit, raw nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables, and yogurt. Whole grains and beans should also be an important part of the diet.
- Take vitamin E it’s an antioxidant that protects breast tissue against fibrocystic breasts.
- Include in your diet foods that are high in germanium, such as garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and onions. Germanium helps to improve tissue oxygenation at the cellular level.
- Use poke root or sage poultices to relieve breast inflammation and soreness.
- Coenzyme Q10 is very important to remove toxins from the body and help control fibrocystic breasts.
- Good results have been achieved using primrose oil to reduce the size of cysts.
Prevention tips
- Do not consume any coffee, tea (except herbal teas), cola drinks, or chocolate. These foods contain caffeine, which has been implicated in fibrocystic breasts. Also avoid alcohol, animal products (especially meats and animal fats), cooking oils from supermarket shelves, fried foods, salt, sugar, tobacco, and all white flour products.
- Wearing a well-fitting bra to provide good breast support are important.
Useful References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breasts/symptoms-causes/syc-20350438
- https://uihc.org/health-library/fibrocystic-breast-disease-faq
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000912.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3511705
- https://books.google.co.in/books?id=fR-Gh78xyp8C&pg=PA86&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false